Any patientsof Dr Valin's....

who can tell me what to expect when I go in on Monday for my first consultation(which I believe will be with Debbie)? I was very excited now I am scared to death! I don't know what to expect so maybe that is it. I have my list of questions(which the more I read here the more I have lol) but will it be a q&a or just a discussion to figure out which surgery I am going to have?? Someone please help if you have been to this particular Dr as I know every Dr is different! Thanks!!!

Hi Krista. The first appointment with Dr. Valin's office is basically information sharing. You may see Debbie, you may see another nurse practitioner who works for several of the surgeons at the hospital. They review the completed packet that you were given in the orientation meeting, ask some additional questions, answer any questions you may have, complete a brief physical exam, and again review the requirements for surgery. You picked a great surgeon. Dr. Valin just did my surgery on 03/04. If you are timely in completing the requirements, things move quickly with this practice. I attended the orientation on 12/01 and could have had surgery the beginning of Feb. I had to delay due to work demands. The office staff also are great with providing all the needed documentation to your insurance company. I did not have any contact with Blue Cross at all, this was all handled by Dr. Valin's office. My surgery was approved in less than 48 hours. Hope you find this response helpful. Good luck.

Hi, I had surgery with Dr Valin in May of 2002 and I am very happy now. I believe Dr Valin is detail oriented and really good at this and I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat with him as the surgeon. My only minor complaint was that Debbie (his wife and nurse) seemed to be the main contact person for appointments or follow-up, but he is the surgeon and he is the one who should be answering questions, doing the tests, checking you out initially. Gather all the information you have on your medical and obesity history, including diets, doc supervised weight loss, any weight loss program you were in (Weigh****chers/Jenny Craig etc), and a list of family diseases and obesity related symptoms (over weight sister/diabetic father, etc). I also had a list of all my possible symptoms (short breaths going up stairs, sleep apnea/snoring, joint stiffness, sweating and rashes under the rolls/pre-diabetes, etc). I brought this list to every specialist and doctor related to the surgery. You will be weighed, your stomach area checked and will have a conversation with the doctor/Debbie about the kind of surgery you will have and what you know about it. Do your homework. You will have several phases to complete before you have surgery. A keto diet to show your ability/disipline to eat a certain way if required, A visit to a psychiatrist/therapist for a mental check, a nutritionist for a diet patterns and info meeting, you will have an ultrasound, you will have an endoscopy, you will have about 13 vials of blood taken and at least 2 more visits with the Doc before your surgery. Expect at least a 6-12 month waiting period before surgery. Try to have it done early in the week so you get the best hospital staff. I had surgery on a Friday and got the weekend people who were horrible. I have since moved to Massachusetts, but my surgery is still quite clear in my memory. Feel free to e-mail. Best of luck to you. Kathy

Ray answered your question very well. I to had Dr. Valin do my surgery. Don't be scared, you are in great hands. Maggie

I am scheduled for the lapband with Dr. Valin this Friday, March 18. I researched for a long long time and Dr. Valin is the Man. I also agree that I wish we can get to see Dr. Valin earlier on, or more often, but Debbie does do the job. I was just as scared as you, but now I'm ready. There are a number of steps you will have to take before you have the surgery and the office will walk you through one step at a time. I was improved by my insurance carrier within 24 hours, so I had no problem in that area. Now is a good time to do a lot of reading and research. I subscribed to WLS magazine, and joined many lapband message boards. Also you can start trying the protein drinks to see which ones work best for you. Corgi

Hi guys! Thanks for your info..sorry it took me so long to say thanks...my mom is in the hosp and I fell yesterday so today have been nursing my bruises on my entire right side. Tomorrow is my appt and I am nervous but I have been going through profiles again and seeing all of the positive comments is helping with my nervousness. I will update more tomorrow when I get home from the visit! Wish me luck...this feels like the beginning of my new life...even though I know surgery is really that day...but hey this is a start right? ~Krista